Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Out of this World! The Richard Mille Planetarium Tellurium

I'm proud to be one of the first to unveil the Richard Mille Planetarium Tellurium. A massive achievement in horology with an entirely new mechanical interpretation of a centuries old tradition - Depicting the universe as clockwork. Created by the revolutionary independent watch brand, Richard Mille (with obvious watch case design) and developed by mastermind Stephen Forsey and Robert Greubel of CompliTime and an exclusive look into his original drawings for the Planetary Tellurium below the photos...


Text by Theodore Diehl for Richard Mille (For the complete story, visit Horomundi-->LINK)

"Despite its enormous complexity, the Richard Mille Planetarium- Tellurium is designed to be: - easy to understand - easy and practical in use - precise and reliable This means that for the first time, an object of this type will be able to be operated by someone who is not a specialist.

UNDERSTANDABLE VISUAL REPRESENTATION

First of all, the diameter of the earth has for practical and aesthetic reasons been notably enlarged in the Planetarium-Tellurium (in reality, the earth is 109 times smaller than the sun) allowing a good view of the continents and indeed of countries. All the planets can be seen perfectly, although these, as explained above, are not to scale regarding size and distance. The indications (date, equation of time, zodiac) are represented in an easily readable and consistent way, and on a separate area from the layout depicting the rotation of the planets.

Indications, front panel

REPRESENTATIONS AND INDICATIONS

Astronomic representations (R) and indications (I)
  1. - Rotation of the earth on its axis (R)
  2. - Rotation of the earth around the sun (R)
  3. - Obliquity of the earth (R)
  4. - Rotation of the moon on its axis (R)
  5. - Rotation of the moon around the earth (R)
  6. - Phases of the moon (I)
  7. - Equation of time (I)
  8. - Mercury (R)
  9. - Venus (R)
  10. - Sun (R)
  • Rotation of the earth on its axis (R) One rotation on its axis in 24 hours. Error: +1° in 7.7 years
  • Rotation of the earth around the sun (R) One rotation in 1 year. Error: -1° in 2 million years. This rotation is used as the basis for indicating the seasons, the equinoxes, solstices and zodiac signs, represented in their respective windows.
  • Obliquity of the earth (R) Exact rotation, the tilt of the earth’s axis between the two poles: 23.5°. This tilt towards the sun provides a perfect understanding of the phenomenon of the seasons.
  • Rotation of the moon on its axis and rotation of the moon around the earth (R) The calculation of the rotation is based on a synodic month of 29.53058912 days (time interval between two new moons). Error : +1° in 168 years.
  • Phases of the moon (I) The phases of the moon are represented on the moon itself with a surrounding ring that represents the area visible from the earth.
  • Equation of time (I) The equation of time is represented by a hand and a dial divided into sectors on the front part of the planetarium. The hand represents in + or – the minutes that must be added or subtracted from the mean time in order to obtain the true solar time.
  • Solar time. Associated with the equation of time, it represents the true time in relation to the sun. This indication is connected to the planetary mechanism and is on the dial.
  • Mercury (R) Representation of Mercury performing a rotation around the sun in 87.9 days. Mercury does not rotate around its axis.
  • Venus (R) Representation of Venus performing a rotation around the sun in 224.7 days. Venus does not rotate around its axis.
  • Sun (R) Static representation of the sun in the centre of the Planetarium Tellurium.
  • Time indications - Hour - Minute - Time zones - Date (Perpetual calendar) - Day (Perpetual calendar) - Month (Perpetual calendar) - Year, decade (Perpetual calendar) - Leap year - Power reserve - Seasons, equinoxes, solstices, Zodiac signs
MATERIALS USED Titanium, steel, brass, gold, silver, red corundum

Another unique aspect of the Richard Mille Planetarium-Tellurium is the addition of a perpetual calendar to the astronomic representations in combination with a détente chronometer escapement. The addition of a highly accurate going train and winding barrel of the planetarium to this escapement make this the most accurate clockwork Planetarium Tellurium of its kind.

The clock will be unveiled at the September 2007 Tempus - Temple of Time in Singapore.

A one of a kind creation, the price? Well into seven figures.

More information at Horomundi here-->Link
Richard Mille website-->Link

View of the interior without the Sun in position.
Titanium bridges/plates


Planetarium Terrurium Drawings
by Stephen Forsey of (Greubel Forsey)


The latest Richard Mille RM011 Chronograph
Photos by Mike Disher of TimeZone

Highlights of other Planetary devices, clocks and watches include the 18th century Planetarium clock below by Jean-Andre Lepaute of France.

Table Clock with Planetarium circa 1770
Collection of the Beyer Museum

Our solar system has even been reduced to a mechanical wristwatch with this recent Christiaan van der Klaauw "Planetarium." Previously featured here-->Link

Other phenomenal wrist galaxies like the 1985 Ulysse Nardin's Planetarium Copernicus and more recent, the Trilogy Set including the Astrolabe.

Boy, if I didn't feel small in this Universe, I sure do now!


Lastly, learn about the very first mechanical astronomical device nearly 2000 years old, the ancient Greek Antikythera Celestial Calculator-->Link

Related Posts;
Other Astronomical Timepieces-->Link
All Clock Posts-->Link
Complication Timepieces-->Link
Richard Mille-->Link
$2,000,000 Hatching Astronomic Clock by Vacheron Constantin --> Link


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Big and Bigger Bangs - Hublot & BNB Concept Video


Hublot, not known for their subtlety with watches like their "Big Bang, Bigger Bang, Mag Bang and Ice Bang", have some videos detailing their stellar growth. Their involvement with BNB Concept, the custom movement maker, featured on EuropaStar-->Link and the BNB site-->Link, has been documented in their Hublot TV series here-->Link

The Brothers Bang



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Watchismo's Timewarp of Pierre Cardin for QP Magazine

My third Timewarp column for QP Magazine featuring the super swanky space-age Pierre Cardin Espace Watches of the early seventies. Click to read-->Link




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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Laser Beam Wristwatch!



Where is the truth in advertising? Were we really that stupid in the eighties to fall for this sales pitch?


Plus all my other favorite vintage watch commercials and films linked below;

1970s Timex Commercials -->Link
"Black Max, Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking, and more"

1960s Timex Commercial-->Link
"Underwater Dating"

1978 Texas Instruments Commercial-->Link

A New Age in Quartz-->Link

1940's Jam Handy for Hamilton-->Link

1940's Conquer by the Clock-->Link


And a few more I've found recently;

The 80's Multichron Calculator Watch


More Vintage Timex Commercials


Chronoforms Robot Watch


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Monday, August 20, 2007

Arnold & Son Grande Complication - True North Perpetual Calendar

A perfect watch for hunting giant squid, Moby Dick or the Loch Ness Monster. The Arnold & Son True North Perpetual, the top tier model by the recently reanimated 220 year old brand. Featuring a manually wound A&S caliber 1794 movement, perpetual calendar (date, month, moonphase, leap year), double equation of time, true solar time, true direction, longitude, and power reserve. All that's missing is a barometer, armillary, sextant, and telescope.

Arnold & Son website-->Link



Related Posts;
HD3 Complication Vulcania
Steampunk Watches
Multi-functional Timepieces
Complications


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Saturday, August 18, 2007

Watchismo Featured in Mens Vogue!

From the September 2007 issue
(click above to read article)

Human robots?? Why the hell did I say that? That doesn't make any sense. Oh well...I'm in Vogue! The first line makes up for that, though I feel more like a Father at an orphanage.


More Shameless Self Promotions;
QP Interviews Watchismo
Coolhunting Video of Watchismo
Bell Bottom Chronographs for QP
Vintage Sideview Displays for QP
LTD Magazine Chronos of Watchismo
Revolution Rolex Sweepstakes


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Thursday, August 16, 2007

Watchband That Will Knock You Out! Literally! The Defenseband

Next time someone tries to steal that $100,000 Tourbillon off your wrist, make sure to use the "Defenseband." Made by inventor Greg Thompson of Spider-Ti Human Restraint Systems.

Sure it's velcro and won't match your rose gold but whatever man, protect yourself! I'm thinking of buying one just so I can knock out the first guy I see wearing an Urwerk...Otherwise, how am I ever gonna afford one? For the low low price of $19.95 and a slight risk of jail time for a Hammerhead? Fair enough...



Spider Ti Human Restraint Systems-->Link
Defenseband Instructional Video-->Link

Related Posts;
James Bond Gadget Watches
Sicura Knife Watch
Panerai Commando Watch Set
Movado Seduction Weapon


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World War I Government Issued Jaeger LeCoultre Military Grilled Watch

Since my more detailed "Wristwatches of War" post->Link, I've discovered some other interesting antique trench grille watches from World War I. Issued to infantry officers of British Expeditionary Forces, the 1917 Jaeger LeCoultre above and unsigned model below. Both available from VintageMilitaryWatches.com.


Related Posts;
Wristwatches of War
1941 Panerai Commando Set
Gunpowder Flask Watch


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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Bizarro Buler Beast

When I say a watch is one of the oddest I've seen, you gotta believe me. This 1970 Buler is one of those and can be distinguished as having "a face only a mother could love". Absolutely enormous bullion sized driver angled case, grooved black slots, atomic green dial, manual winding hexagon crown, and most superbly weird, the original mint leather-cloth mesh band! Even the buckle is leather!

Via-->Link




Related Posts;
Other unusual vintage 60's & 70's watches-->Link



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